AT THE HOSPITAL

The Family Birthplace

Labor and Delivery

The Family Birthplace is specifically designed for families welcoming new babies and includes Labor and Delivery, Well-baby Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatrics and a Mother-Baby Unit. The Labor and Delivery Unit, located on Forrest General’s fourth floor within The Family Birthplace, is fully staffed 24 hours a day by personnel highly trained in advanced obstetrical care. The unit consists of private labor and delivery rooms with birthing beds, surgical suites and a recovery room. Labor, delivery, and recovery occur in the same room for your comfort and easy transition. Your coach may stay with you throughout labor and delivery.

Most women will prepare for and have a vaginal delivery. However, some circumstances call for a scheduled or emergency surgical delivery called Cesarean (also known as a C-section). The staff at The Family Birthplace can handle all of your needs before, during, and after you deliver, whether you have a vaginal or Cesarean delivery.

Please discuss birthing options and preferences with your doctor, and seek answers to anything you do not understand. We encourage expectant families to take advantage of Forrest General’s prenatal classes and information which can help you prepare for the labor and delivery experience. Having your questions answered and receiving education about the birthing process will make your delivery experience more enjoyable. Bilateral Tubal Ligation (having your “tubes” tied) procedures are also performed on Labor and Delivery. If you have chosen this method of birth control, you should discuss this with your doctor prior to admission. On admission to Labor and Delivery, inform the staff of your desire. This procedure is performed as soon after delivery as possible and should not extend your stay.

Natural Birth

Your birth plan is very important to us. Whether you decide on natural labor or medical interventions like an epidural, we will support your decision. If you choose natural labor, we have ways for you to cope and be successful. Some examples of equipment we use for this are portable monitors to allow ease of movement, birthing balls, and the birthing bar. The nurses are trained on the positions for natural labor and benefits along with ways to promote coping. Some examples of coping techniques are relaxation, visual imagery, meditation, music, massage with hot/cold therapy, and encouragement. We want this to be a great experience for you and your family.

Family Birthplace Nurseries

Forrest General has a Newborn Transition Nursery (for stabilization of newborns just after birth) and a Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery. These nurseries are located on the fourth floor within The Family Birthplace.

Newborn Nursery

After delivery, your baby is assessed. The nursery nurse will apply a security bracelet and ID band. Babies born prematurely or who have problems at birth are taken immediately to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for specialized care. A nurse trained in neonatal resuscitation attends every delivery to provide immediate care.

To protect against infection, everyone coming into contact with you and your baby must be free from all infections including colds, fever blisters, and open draining wounds.

Before touching or holding your baby, visitors are required to wash their hands and arms. The mother also should wash her hands and arms.

Forrest General promotes rooming-in under normal circumstances. Rooming-in is where babies stay in the room with the parent to promote bonding and more success with breastfeeding. Babies may be taken to the nursery for certain procedures.

Labor and Delivery and NICU Visitation Policies

To view the current visitation policy, please visit www.forrestgeneral.org/FBP or call 601-288-4600.

To view the current visitation policy, please visit www.forresthealth.org/NICU or call 601-288-3951.